I am the founder of Food+Tech Connect, a media company connecting food and technology innovators with the information and people they need to transform the food industry. My expertise includes food systems, urban agriculture, open government, open research, the semantic web, open innovation, social entrepreneurship and social media.
I also consult on data strategy, digital brand management, consumer engagement, strategic investment and collaboration. Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+.

Building a Data-Driven Startup: Lessons From Fast-Growing Gojee

DG: What value does D’Agostino derive from partnering with you? Was it difficult to secure the partnership?

ML: D’Agostino shoppers are the only ones in the world right now that can automate their pantry on Gojee. We’ll have others soon, but it’s pretty cool that a New York City grocery store (I’m a born and raised New Yorker!) took the lead in giving customers an experience they should have had ten years ago. I really have to give Nick D’Agostino Jr. and Nick D’Agostino III credit on this. They basically saw the future of foodtech and wanted it now for their customers.

DG: How do bloggers benefit from working with you?

ML: One of the things people love about Gojee is that they’re finding and discovering amazing food blogs and bloggers that they’ve never heard of. It’s a very personal experience. There are people behind all of these blogs and they’re as interesting as the recipes themselves.

DG: What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced?

ML: I think the hardest thing we had to learn was to build something that you want to use and that gets you excited. It sounds cliche, but it wasn’t until we built something for ourselves that it didn’t seem like work anymore and just turned into fun.

DG: What are the most interesting/unexpected things you’ve learned?

ML: Learning the importance of using a meat thermometer is one lesson that’s probably going to pay off for the rest of my life. Thanks @dhf2001. I’ve also really enjoyed meeting and talking with the people behind the recipes. We were lucky to have Kimberly Hasselbrink from swing by the office on her recent trip to NYC, and Meredith Steele from has a brother in Afghanistan (where I spent a year a prior life) so I’m really rooting for him to do well over there.

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